Illinois is in the middle of a long layoff and that's OK: The 22nd-ranked Illini are in first place in the Big Ten.

Illinois is the lone Big Ten team left with one loss after Michigan's win over Michigan State. Illinois (15-3, 4-1) will put its top spot on the line Thursday at Penn State. The Nittany Lions have given the Illini fits the past few seasons.

Illinois coach Bruce Weber said the game will be a test of his team's maturity.

The Illini's last game was an emotional upset of then-No. 5 Ohio State on Jan. 10. Weber said the break gave his team to come back to Earth after that high.

Illinois said Wednesday that the Mobile, Ala., native will be closer to his family. The move also follows the hiring of new head coach Tim Beckman, who plans to run a spread offense that wouldn't use a fullback.

Prosch, a sophomore, was a starter this fall but served primarily as a blocker. He carried the ball twice for nine yards.

Banks, whose hiring was announced Wednesday, spent two seasons at Cincinnati after leading Central Michigan's defense for three years.

Under Banks, the Bearcats defense was ranked sixth in the country against the run at 96 yards per game and 42nd in total defense at 357.4 yards per game. Cincinnati led the country in tackles for loss with 111 and was No. 2 in sacks with 45.

Beckman said Banks will run "a very aggressive" defense at Illinois.

Banks fills the last opening on Beckman's staff and replaces Vic Koenning.